Shopping bag



June 6, 1950 'v. J. MARSICO EFAL SHOPPING BAG Filed Oct. 18, 1946 INVENTOR5 Vnvcezvr J .Mmas/co LIL/069V A? PROTON/9.5770

fi/v/ Patented June 6, 1 950 SHOPPING BAG Vincent J. Marsico and John R. Protomastro, Warren, Ohio Application October 18, 1946, Serial No. 704,211 2 Claims. (01. 224-) Our invention relates to receptacles, more particularly to receptacles of'the shopping bag type, and the principal object of our invention is to provide new and improved receptacles of the character described. 1

Our invention is especially. adapted for use by shoppers, although it'may be used by anyone who is required to carry packages or the like. There has been a long-felt need for a shopping bag which may be folded and carried, when not in use, within little space, such as within a purse or a pocket, yet when in use permits freedom of movement by the user.

The customary shopping bag is usually either of paper, fabric, or net construction, having a pair of handles which are grasped by the hand of a user. This, of course, leaves only one hand of the user free for use. Further, in such construction, the opening into the bag is actually never closed, and when the handles are disengaged, articles may escape from within the bag.

Patented prior art indicates that an attempt has been made to improve the condition, since such art shows draw strings for closing the bag opening. However, none of the prior attempts have met with commercial success, and the twohandled shopping bag, up to the time of this invention, still seems to be the accepted construction.

Our invention provides a receptacle, such as a shopping bag, which may be carried by a strap slung over the shoulder of the user. Thus, not only are both hands of the user free, but the load is carried in a manner which is less tiring to the user. When not in use, the receptacle may be folded so as to be conveniently carried within a purse or pocket.

Referring to the drawing accompanying this specification and forming part of this invention, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which our invention may assume, and in this drawing:

Figure 1 is a generally schematic perspective view showing the receptacle as preferably worn by a user,

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view with the receptacle in open condition,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the receptacle in closed condition, and

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views of parts of the receptacle.

The bag B, as shown in the drawings, is preferably made of net material, although any receptacle having a, flexible portion at its opening may be used. I

A draw arrangement is used to control opening and closing of the bag, and as here shown, such arrangement comprises a loop Ill, formed of flexible material, such as woven material, having a bight II and legs I2. The bight II in this case is formed by securing ends of the legs together within knob means 13.

The legs l2 are connected to, or as in this case form part of, a strap H which is connected to the closed end of the bag B, as by means of a ring l5 engaging with a tab carried by the lower end of the bag.

Secured to the bag B, at its opening, are a plurality of spaced-apart rings I 6 of a size to freely pass the legs I! of the loop 10. The rings I6a adjoining the knob means l3 are secured to the knob means, as by engagement with loops l1 secured to the knob means.

Ferrule means 18 freely slides over both legs I! of the loop l0, and the rings 16b adjoining the ferrule means do not extend around the legs 12, but are connected to loops 19 carried by the ferrule means 18, as best seen in Figure 4.

Thus, the knob means 13 and the ferrule means I8 may be grasped by opposite hands of a user and drawn apart to open the bag. The various parts are so constructed and arranged that the bag opening is automatically closed by holding the legs l2 of the loop 10, or the strap I4, in the manner shown in Figure 3, since the ferrule means 18 and the rings I 6 freely slide toward the knob means l3.

When the bag opening is closed, a, pulling apart of the knob means l3 and ferrule means 18 is required to gain access to within the bag. Therefore, should the bag be set down, such as on a counter, the contents are held from escaping from the bag.

Further the bag may be carried from the shoulder of a user, with the bag opening securely closed, since the weight of articles carried constantly maintains a force which opposes unin tentional opening of the bag. Any attempt at unauthorized opening of the bag, during the time it is being carried, will immediately be noticed by the user, since opening tends to reduce the length of the strap H.

In addition to the fact that it is more comfort able to carry a load from the shoulder, it will b6 seen that both hands of the user are free at all times.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that we have accomplished at closed embodimentis illustrative only, and" that our invention is not limited thereto.

We claim:

1. A receptacle, formed of flexible material at least at its opening, ring means secured to "said receptacle in spaced-apart relation along said opening, loop means, extending through said ring? means, knob means secured to the bight of said loop means and to adjoining ones'ofsaid ring means, and ferrule means slidable over both legs of said loops means and secured to adjoining ones of said rings means, whereby said knob means and saidferrule means" may be' grasped by opposite hands of a user and drawn apart to open up the opening into'said' receptacle.

2. A shopping bag. formed of flexible material,

a plurality of' ringssecured in spaced-apart rela-' tion: to said-bag alongitsopening, strap means adapted-to beslungover'the shoulder of a user,

having one end securedv to saidbag at a pointspaced from its opening, and itsotherend comprising: 100p means the-legsofqwhich' freely pass 5 rings.

VINCENT J. MARSICO. JOHN R. PROTOMASTRO.

0 REFERENCES 'CITED 1 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number- Name Date D, 13 ,070 Westmore Jan. 18, 1944 209,723 S'towell Nov. 5, 1878 380,416- Ame's -l Apr. 3, 1888 403,928; Emeric May 28, 1889 1,092,962 Twiss Apr. 14, 1914 1,261,846 Osgood Apr. 9, 1918 2,017,698 Levy' Oct. 15, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date. 7 35,003 Switzerland Septf 11 1920" 182,5' 78 Germany" Aug. 17, 1910 475,085 France Jan'. 26, 1915 496,156 Great- Britain Nov. 25, 1938! 646,322

through said rings, knob means secured to the bight of said loop means and to adjoinin rings, and ferrule means freely slidable over the legs of said loops means and connected to adjoining France July 10', 1928 

